Quoting unnamed sources, Automotive News Europe reports that Fiat Group chairman Umberto Agnelli will confirm by the end of October the appointment of Magna-Steyr CEO Herbet Demel as the successor to Giancarlo Boschetti as CEO of Fiat Auto.

Before joining the Canadian-owned, Austria-based Magna Steyr contract assembly firm recently, Demel was the boss of VW's in charge of VW's Brazilian operations, and had earlier headed its Audi subsidiary.

The story counters widely-reported rumours that Martin Leach, who resigned from Ford of Europe last month, was to be Fiat Auto's next CEO.